6.307.1.1
(11-06-2009)Overview

Special programs and appointment authorities are available for use when employing veterans. They include the Veterans' Recruitment
Appointment (VRA), the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) and a number of programs for disabled veterans.

Employees are entitled to certain rights and obligations in connection with leaves of absence or restoration to duty following
uniformed service and restoration for employees who sustain compensable injuries.

6.307.1.2
(11-06-2009)Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA)

References:

Pub. L. No. 107-288

5 CFR Part 302

5 CFR Part 307

5 USC § 3112

38 USC § 4214(b)

The VRA is a special authority by which the Service can appoint eligible veterans without competition to positions at any
grade level through GS-11 or equivalent. (The promotion potential of the position is not a factor.) VRA appointees are hired
under excepted appointments to positions that are otherwise in the competitive service. There is no limit to the number of
VRA appointments an individual may receive, provided the individual is otherwise eligible.

The Jobs for Veterans Act, Pub. L. No. 107-288, amended 38 USC § 4214 by making a major change in the eligibility criteria
for obtaining a Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA). Those eligible are:

Disabled veterans; or

Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge
has been authorized; or

Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a United States military operation for which
an Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985; or

Recently separated veterans.

Veterans claiming eligibility on the basis of service in a campaign or expedition for which a medal was awarded must be in
receipt of the campaign badge or medal.

In addition to meeting the criteria above, eligible veterans must have been separated with an honorable or general discharge.

Under the eligibility criteria, not all 5-point preference eligible veterans are eligible for a VRA appointment.

Example 1 - A veteran who served during the Vietnam era (i.e., for more than 180 consecutive days, after January 31, 1955,
and before October 15, 1976), but did not receive a service-connected disability or an Armed Forces Service medal or campaign
or expeditionary medal would be entitled to 5-point veterans’ preference. This veteran, however, would not be eligible for
a VRA appointment under the above criteria.

Example 2 - A veteran who served during the Gulf War from August 2, 1990 through January 2, 1992, would be eligible for veterans'
preference solely on the basis of that service. Service during that time period, in and of itself, does not confer VRA eligibility
on the veteran unless one of the above VRA eligibility criteria is met.

Under the eligibility criteria, not all VRA veterans are eligible for 5-point veterans' preference.

A recently discharged veteran is eligible for VRA, but will not be eligible for veteran’s preference if the period of service
is not listed as qualifying for 5-point veterans' preference.

VRA eligibles who meet the basic qualification requirements for the position to be filled may be appointed without applying
through a job announcement. However, veterans' preference (5 CFR Part 302) applies in making appointments under the VRA authority.
If there are two or more VRA candidates and one or more is a preference eligible, the agency must apply veterans' preference.
An agency must consider all VRA candidates on file who are qualified for the position.

A VRA appointee may be promoted, demoted, reassigned, or transferred in the same way as a career employee. As with other competitive
service employees, the time-in-grade requirement applies to the promotion of VRAs. If a VRA eligible employee is qualified
for a higher grade, an agency may, at its discretion, give the employee a new VRA appointment at a higher grade up through
GS-11 (or equivalent) without regard to time-in-grade.

After two years of satisfactory performance and conduct, the VRA appointee must be converted to a career or career-conditional
appointment, as appropriate.

Employees who do not meet the criteria for conversion to permanent status must be terminated.

Agencies may make a noncompetitive temporary or term appointment based on an individual's eligibility for VRA appointment.
The temporary or term appointment must be at the grades authorized for VRA appointment but is not a VRA appointment itself
and does not lead to conversion to career-conditional.

VRA appointees have the appeal rights of excepted service employees. This means that VRA employees who are preference eligibles
attain full Part 752 adverse action and Part 432 performance action appeal rights after one year of current continuous service
in the same or similar position(s). VRAs who are not preference eligibles do not get this protection until they have completed
2 years of current continuous employment in the same or similar position. In addition, any individual serving under a VRA
whose employment under the appointment is terminated within 1 year after the date of such appointment, has the same right
to appeal that termination as a career or career-conditional employee has during the first year of employment.

6.307.1.2.2
(11-06-2009)Accepting VRA Applications

There are two groups of VRA applicants.

Applicants from outside the Federal Service - Selecting officials have broad discretion under the personnel laws to hire from
several appropriate sources of qualified candidates. Applicants with noncompetitive appointment eligibility under the VRA
authority, are one such source (5 CFR § 316.302(2)).

Current IRS VRA appointees - These employees have the same promotional opportunities and are subject to the same requirements
as other employees under the Service’s merit promotion plan. Veterans under the VRA Program must be permitted to apply under
merit promotion procedures. This means the IRS must accept applications from its current employees serving under VRA. Those
who meet the promotion requirements and time-in grade are rated and ranked along with status candidates. If selected, time
previously served can count towards the 2 year period for conversion. Selection does not confer competitive status to the
veteran

VRA eligibles, including those with preference, have no right to "reopen"
a closed promotion announcement (that is, to apply after the closing date). By law, and under certain conditions, preference
eligibles have the right to reopen competitive examinations that were open for applications from the general public.

6.307.1.2.3
(11-06-2009)Ranking and Referral of VRA Candidates

5 CFR Part 302, Subpart B and 5 CFR Part 307 should be followed to ensure that preference is observed for disabled veterans
and other veterans entitled to preference.

Current IRS VRA appointees, like competitive service employees, may apply under an internal merit promotion announcement and
are subject to the same requirements. See IRM 6.307.1.2.2(1)(b).

Current IRS VRA appointees may also apply under an internal merit promotion announcement as a"VRA eligible."

All "VRA eligible"
applicants (IRS VRA appointees and VRA applicants (from the Applicant Supply File, if available)) should be listed on
a separate certificate in preference order as follows:

10% or more compensable service-connected disability

Other 10-point preference eligibles

5-point preference eligibles

Non-preference eligibles

Selections must be made from the highest available preference category, as long as there are at least three candidates in
that group. When fewer than three candidates are in the highest category, consideration may be expanded to include the next
category. The VRA eligible applicants who are not entitled to veterans' preference should be placed in the non-preference
category. As long as there is one preference eligible on this list, a selection from the non-preference category may not be
made unless the justification to pass over the veteran is adjudicated.

There is no requirement to select from this source of applicants; This is only one of many applicant sources. A veteran on
this list does not block the consideration of other sources; selections can be made from certificates that contain different
sources of applicants.

6.307.1.2.4
(11-06-2009)Training and Education Requirements

If the VRA appointee has less than 15 years of formal education, the Service is required to provide a written training program
agreement (signed by the veteran) in which the veteran agrees to pursue a training or educational program during the two year
employment period. If the VRA appointee has 15 years of formal education or more, they may participate in the same training
programs as other employees. A training program could include on-the-job assignments and/or classroom training. To ensure
that this requirement is met, a written training or educational plan must be developed.

The written training or educational plan should include definitive long and short-range objectives. Such objectives are necessary
to effectively evaluate on-the-job performance and other training participation in the program.

Use of VRA is not intended to be used permanently to fill low-level positions. Such positions should be used as a means of
qualifying for a higher grade level target position.

The VEOA, as amended by Section 511 of the Veterans Millennium Health Care Act (Pub. L. No. 106-117) of November 30, 1999,
provides that agencies must allow eligible veterans to apply for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when
the agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce. "Agency,"
in this context, means the parent agency, i.e., Treasury, not IRS. A VEOA eligible who competes under merit promotion procedures
and is selected will be given a career or career conditional appointment. Veterans' preference is not a consideration in these
appointments.

To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be a preference eligible or veteran separated after 3 or more years
of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Veterans who were released shortly before completing a
3-year tour are considered to be eligible. Active service, defined in Title 37 USC, means active duty in the uniformed services
and includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance while in active
service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.

VEOA applicants appointed under the VEOA are subject to a probationary period.

VEOA applicants who are appointed in the competitive service have the appeal rights of competitive service employees.

ZBA-Pub L. No.106-117, Section 511 will be used as the legal authority for any new appointments under the VEOA. This authority
code can be used with nature of action codes 100, 101, 500 and 501.

6.307.1.3.2
(11-06-2009)Accepting VEOA Applications

IRS Internal Merit Promotion Vacancy Announcements – Internal merit promotion vacancy announcements, open only to IRS or Treasury applicants only, are not required to include
application information for VEOA eligibles because the agency is not recruiting outside its own workforce. ("Agency,"
in this context, means the parent agency, i.e., Treasury, not the Internal Revenue Service.)

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Announcements – CTAP is limited to internal agency candidates; therefore there is no requirement to include application information for
VEOA eligibles.

Merit promotion Vacancy Announcements Open to Status Applicants Outside Treasury – Merit promotion vacancy announcements open to status applicants outside of Treasury must accept applications from VEOA
eligibles, wherever they are located. Current federal employees (along with those seeking initial federal employment) with
VEOA eligibility can apply for positions opened to status applicants outside of Treasury. VEOA does not exempt VEOA eligible
federal employees from eligibility criteria, such as time-in-grade restrictions. In addition to the standard application instructions
on the USAJOBS, external merit promotion vacancy announcements must include the following VEOA specific information:

Open to all veterans eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998;

Must be a preference eligible or veteran who was released shortly before completing a 3-year tour; and

Must submit a copy of the document DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, as proof of VEOA eligibility.

Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) Vacancy Announcement – VEOA eligibles applying under a DEU vacancy announcement (competitive examining process) are treated in the same manner
as any other DEU applicant.

VEOA eligibility accords no advantage;

Veterans' preference applies;

VEOA eligibles must be within reach to be referred on the DEU list of eligibles; and

When a position is advertised through merit promotion (open to status applicants outside the agency) and delegated examining
using two separate announcements, VEOA eligibles who apply for both announcements will receive separate considerations for
each vacancy announcement. A VEOA eligible may not be removed from either the merit promotion or Delegated Examining Unit
(DEU) selection list solely because he or she is being considered through the other announcement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Vacancy Announcements – VEOA eligibles may apply for ICTAP announcements. When both ICTAP and VEOA eligible applications are received, the "well
qualified"
ICTAP applicant receives priority over the VEOA applicant. Once the ICTAP candidate has been cleared, the best qualified
VEOA eligible candidate can be considered. Veterans' preference does not apply in the ranking. Announcements must include
the following VEOA specific information:

Open to veterans eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998;

Must be a preference eligible or veteran who was released shortly before completing a 3-year tour; and

Must submit a copy of the document, DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge form Active Duty, as proof of VEOA eligibility.

6.307.1.3.3
(11-06-2009)Ranking and Referral of VEOA Candidates

VEOA applications from external merit promotion announcements open to status applicants outside of Treasury must be rated
and ranked with status applicants, using the same assessment criteria. No distinction is made. VEOA applicants are referred
with status applicants on the same certificate. VEOA eligibles referred for consideration are not guaranteed selection.

The VEOA selectee will be given a career or career conditional appointment. A temporary or term appointment may not be offered.

6.307.1.4
(11-06-2009)Hiring Disabled Veterans

This section describes the special appointment authority and provisions for hiring disabled veterans and actions necessary
under the IRS Disabled Veterans Affirmative Action Program (DVAAP).

5 CFR § 315.707

5 CFR § 316.302(b)(4)

5 CFR Part 720

38 USC § 4214

6.307.1.4.1
(11-06-2009)30 percent or More Disabled Veteran

The following describes the special appointment authority (5 CFR § 315.707) used for hiring disabled veterans, and provides
instructions for implementing the Disabled Veterans Affirmative Action Program (DVAAP).

The Service may offer a noncompetitive temporary appointment of more than 60 days, or a term appointment, to any veteran:

Retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; or

Rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of
the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.

There is no grade level limitation for this authority, but the appointee must meet all qualification requirements including
any written test requirement.

The employee may be non-competitively converted (without a break in service) to a career or career-conditional appointment
at any time during the employee’s temporary or term appointment. The appointment can be full-time, part-time, or intermittent.
The initial appointment need not be to the same position as the proposed conversion position.

6.307.1.4.2
(11-06-2009)Disabled Veterans Enrolled in a VA Training Program

Disabled veterans eligible for training under the VA vocational rehabilitation program may enroll for training or work experience
at an agency under the terms of an agreement between the agency and VA. While enrolled in the VA program, the veteran is not
a Federal employee for most purposes, but is a beneficiary of the VA.

Training is tailored to the individual’s needs and goals and may be as long as needed. If the training is intended to prepare
the individual for eventual appointment in the agency and not only to provide work experience, the agency must ensure that
the training will enable the veteran to meet the qualification requirements for the position.

Upon successful completion, the host agency and VA issues the veteran a Certificate of Training showing the occupational series
and grade level of the position for which trained. The Certificate of Training allows any agency to appoint the veteran non-competitively
under a status quo appointment that may be converted to career or career-conditional at any time.

Reasonable accommodation assistance, if needed, may be coordinated by the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity.

The Service encourages and supports the utilization of all available resources to employ and advance disabled veterans. The
Commissioner periodically emphasizes this policy in memoranda and information notices to employees.

The DVAAP program responsibility resides with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); All agencies are required to develop
a DVAAP Plan. Treasury's Plan covers all its Bureaus and is published as Appendix B to Chapter 720 of the Treasury Personnel
Manual. It provides for local offices to develop local plans as appropriate.

The IRS DVAAP Plan supplements the Department of the Treasury Plan and provides instructions on responsibilities for affirmative
actions to be taken by all offices to promote the employment and advancement of disabled veterans. To fully implement their
responsibilities, appointing offices may establish and implement local plans.

6.307.1.5
(11-06-2009)Federal Employees Who Perform Active Military Service and Restoration to Duty

This section covers the rights and obligations of employees and the IRS in connection with leaves of absence or restoration
to duty following uniformed service and restoration for employees who sustain compensable injuries.

Current IRS employees who perform active military duty are able to leave their employment temporarily with the knowledge that
their affairs are in order and their rights are protected. Federal law provides many important rights and benefits, as required
by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).

The following addresses rights, benefits, and processing instructions for employees who leave their jobs to serve on active
duty, either on a voluntary or involuntary basis, in a uniformed service. This includes active duty, active duty for training,
initial active duty for training, inactive duty training, full-time National Guard duty and a period that a person is absent
from employment for the purpose of examination to determine fitness for duty.

Before an employee leaves for military duty, he or she must be advised of his or her restoration rights, the process to exercise
those rights, the time limitations, employee benefits, appeal rights, and any other obligations. A sample letter is shown
in See Exhibit 6.307.1-1.

Employees are not harmed when they leave their employment temporarily to perform active military duty. The Uniformed Services
Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) generally requires the employee be placed on Leave Without Pay (LWOP)
when entering the military, unless they choose to be placed on military leave or annual leave, as appropriate, or the employee
requests to be separated. The Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, has issued comprehensive guidance
as mandated by USERRA. This document has been posted in the Federal Register and can be found at: http://www.dol.gov/elaws/userra.htm

6.307.1.5.2
(11-06-2009)Rights and Benefits

See IRM 6.630.1, Absence and Leave, for additional guidance on absence and leave.

Permanent or temporary civilian — Federal employees who are called to active duty (or volunteer for active duty) are entitled to the rights and benefits
contained in this subsection.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) -- Employee Assistance Programs can be very helpful to employees and their families in coping with the stress and disruption
associated with a call to active military duty. EAPs provide short-term counseling and referral services to help with financial,
emotional, and dependent care problems. These services are available to employees who are family members of those who are
performing active military duty. In addition, many EAPs offer services to family members of employees.

Pay — Employees performing active military duty receive compensation from the Armed Forces in accordance with the terms and conditions
of their military enlistment or commission. They do not receive any compensation from their civilian-employing agency unless
they elect to use military leave or annual leave as described in paragraphs 5 and 8, below. Agencies should continue the payment
of availability pay for criminal investigators and annual premium pay for administratively uncontrollable overtime (AUO) work,
or regularly scheduled standby duty, on days of military leave or annual leave.

Military Leave — Employees who perform active military duty may request paid military leave, as specified in 5 USC § 6323(a). Under the
law, an eligible full-time employee accrues 15 days (120 hours) of military leave each fiscal year. In addition, an employee
may carry over up to 15 days (120 hours) of unused military leave from one fiscal year to the next. When the 15 days of military
leave that are carried over are combined with the 15 days of military leave accrued at the beginning of the new fiscal year,
this produces a maximum military leave benefit of 30 days in a fiscal year. These extra days of carry over military leave
must be used in the new fiscal year to avoid forfeiting since an employee cannot carry over more than 15 calendar days to
the next fiscal year. Part-time career employees accrue military leave on a prorated basis. Employees who elect to use military
leave will receive full compensation from their civilian position for each hour charged to military leave, in addition to
their military pay for the same period. Military leave can only be charged for hours the employee would have worked and does
not apply to weekends and other non-workdays. Additional information on charging military leave can be found on the OPM website
at: https://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/html/MILITARY.asp . Employees who perform active military duty may be granted an additional 22 days of military leave under 5 USC § 6323(b)
for emergency duty as ordered by the President, Secretary of Defense, or a State Governor. This leave is granted for the purpose
of providing military duty in support of civil authorities in the protection of life and property or who perform full-time
military service as a result of a call or order to active duty in support of a contingency operation as defined in 10 USC
§101(a)(13).

Annual Leave — Employees who perform active military duty may request the use of accrued and accumulated annual leave to their credit
(under 5 USC § 6303 and § 6304), and such requests must be granted by the agency. In addition, requests for advanced annual
leave may be granted at the agency’s discretion. Employees who use annual leave will receive compensation in addition to their
military pay for the same period — from their civilian position for all hours charged to annual leave.

LWOP — USERRA generally requires an agency to place an employee entering the military on LWOP unless the employee chooses to be
placed on military leave or annual leave, as appropriate, or the employee requests to be separated. Full-time employees do
not earn annual or sick leave in a pay period in which they have accumulated 80 hours of LWOP. In addition, part-time employees
on LWOP also earn less annual and sick leave, since they earn leave based on the number of hours in a pay status.

Lump-Sum Leave Payments — Employees who enter into active military duty may choose to have their annual leave remain to their credit until they return
to their civilian position or receive a lump-sum payment for all accrued and accumulated annual leave. However, an agency
must make a lump-sum payment for any restored annual leave under 5 USC § 6304(d). There is no requirement to separate from
a civilian position in order to receive a lump-sum leave payment under 5 USC § 5552.

When an employee who has been on military duty returns to active Federal Service prior to the end of the period covered by
the lump-sum payment, the employee must refund an amount equal to the pay that covers the period between the date of reemployment
and the expiration of the lump-sum leave period. Agencies may not re-credit any restored annual leave to the employee’s leave
account. Further guidance on the repayment of a lump-sum payment for annual leave can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/HTML/lumpsum.pdf

Health Benefits — Employees who enter the uniformed services (active duty or active duty for training beyond 30 days) may elect to have their
health insurance coverage continue for up to 24 months, and the employee continues to pay their share of the premium. Employees
who remain in the uniformed services beyond 12 months may continue their health insurance for an additional 12 months by paying
102 percent of the premium, i.e., the employee’s share, the Government’s share, and a 2 percent administrative fee. Employees
are entitled to a free 31-day extension of coverage during which they can convert to a non-group policy. These employees are
not eligible for TCC (Temporary Continuation of Coverage). If an employee does not wish to continue the FEHB coverage while
he/she is in non-pay status, the employee can elect in writing to have the FEHB coverage terminated (the employee is still
entitled to the free 31-day extension and the right to convert).

When an employee who has been on military duty returns to active Federal Service, he or she can enroll in a FEHB plan within
60 days of the return to service, (as long as the position is not excluded from coverage).

Life Insurance — Employees who are put in a non-pay status while on military duty can keep their Federal Employee’s Group Life Insurance
(FEGLI) coverage for up to 24 months. This coverage is free. At the end of 12 months in non-pay status, the coverage terminates.
Employees receive a free 31-day extension of coverage, and have the right to convert to a non-group policy.

Federal employees with FEGLI who are called to active duty retain and have the same entitlements; death benefits are payable
to the employee’s beneficiaries. Accidental death and dismemberment benefits are also payable under Basic insurance (and Option
A, if the employee had that coverage) unless the employee was in actual combat at the time. Accidental death benefits are
in addition to regular death benefits. Even if accidental death benefits are not payable, regular death benefits are payable.

When an employee who has been on military duty returns to active Federal Service, he or she resumes the same life insurance
he or she had before going into nonpay status (as long as the position is not excluded from coverage).

Retirement — An employee who is placed in a LWOP status while performing active military duty continues to be covered by the retirement
law either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Death benefits will
be paid as if he or she were still in the civilian position. If the employee becomes disabled for his or her civilian position
during the LWOP period and has the minimum amount of civilian service necessary for disability benefits (5 years for CSRS,
18 months for FERS), the employee will become entitled to disability benefits under the retirement law. Upon eventual retirement
from civilian service, the period of military service is creditable under either CSRS or FERS, subject to the rules for crediting
military service.

If an employee separates to enter active military duty, he or she generally will receive retirement credit for the period
of separation when the employee exercises restoration rights to his or her civilian position. If the separated employee does
not exercise the restoration right, but later reenters Federal civilian service, the military service may be credited under
the retirement system, subject to the rules governing credit for military service. However, if an employee covered by CSRS
is separated to enter active military duty during a period of war or national emergency (as declared by Congress or proclaimed
by the President), the employee is deemed not to be separated from his or her civilian position for retirement purposes (unless
the employee applies for and receives a refund of their retirement deductions).

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) — Federal civilian personnel who are also in the military may contribute to TSP, both as a member of the uniformed service
and as a Federal civilian employee. Enrollment into a uniformed service TSP account must be done through the uniformed services’
personnel office. The uniformed service account will be maintained separately from the civilian account, and contributions
to the uniformed service account can only be made from uniformed service pay. Similarly, contributions to the civilian account
can only be made from civil service compensation. Once separated from either the uniformed service or Federal civilian service,
TSP accounts can be combined. Specific information on the TSP rules governing uniformed service can be found at: http://www.tsp.gov/.

Return to Civilian Duty — An employee who enters active military duty (voluntary or involuntary) from any position, including a temporary position,
has full job protection (as covered under USERRA) provided they apply for reemployment within the following time limits:

Employees who served less than 31 days must report back to work at the beginning of the next scheduled workday following their
release from service and the expiration of 8 hours after a time for safe transportation back to the employee’s place of residence;

Employees who served more than 30 days but less then 181 days, must apply for reemployment within 14 days of release by the
military;

Employees who served more than 180 days have 90 days to apply for reemployment;

Employees who served less than 91 days must be restored to the position for which they are qualified and would have attained
had their employment not been interrupted. Employees who served more than 90 days have essentially the same rights, except
that the agency has the option of placing the employee in a position for which he or she qualifies that is of like seniority,
status, and pay to the position the employee would have attained had their employment not been interrupted;

Upon return or restoration, an employee generally is entitled to be treated as though he or she had never left for purposes
of rights and benefits based upon length of service. This means that the employee must be considered for career ladder promotions,
and the time spent in the military will be credited for seniority, successive within-grade increases, probation, career tenure,
annual leave accrual rate, and severance pay. An employee who was on a temporary appointment serves out the remaining time,
if any, left on the appointment. (The military activation period does not extend the civilian appointment; and

An employee performing active military duty is protected from reduction in force (RIF) and may not be discharged from employment
for a period of 1 year following separation (6 months in the case of a Reservist called to active duty under 10 USC § 12304
for more than 30 days, but less than 181 days, or ordered to an initial period of active duty for training of not less than
12 consecutive weeks), except for poor performance or conduct or for suitability reasons.

Appeal Rights — An employee or former employee of an agency in the executive branch who is entitled to restoration in connection with military
duty may appeal an agency’s failure to properly carry out the law directly to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Alternatively,
the employee may first submit a complaint to the Department of Labor (DOL), which will attempt to resolve it. If resolution
is not possible, DOL can present the case to the Office of Special Counsel, which may represent the employee in an appeal
to the Merit Systems Protection Board. Further information is contained in the DOL USERRA regulations as cited in IRM 6.307.1.5.1(6).

Exhibit 6.307.1-1
(11-06-2009)Exhibits: Restoration to Duty From Uniformed Service

Dear: _______________

We received your notice that you are entering military service. While on duty with the uniformed service, you will be carried
on leave without pay unless you request separation. A separation under these circumstances does not affect your restoration
rights and benefits. Please have your uniformed service representative notify this office of the date when you actually enter
on active duty. The effective date of your (leave without pay or separation) is (date). If you are a permanent or temporary IRS employee and perform duty with a uniformed service (including active duty, active
duty for training, or inactive duty training), whether voluntary or involuntary, you are entitled to be restored to the position
you would have attained had you not entered the uniformed service, provided you:

a. Give the IRS advance written or verbal notice of departure (except that no notice is required if it is precluded by military
necessity or, under all relevant circumstances, the giving of notice is otherwise impossible or unreasonable); and

b. Were released from uniformed service under honorable conditions; and

c. Served no more than a cumulative total of 5 years (exceptions are allowed for training and involuntary active duty extensions,
and to complete an initial service obligation of more than 5 years); and

d. Apply for restoration within the appropriate time limits.

The provisions of Title 38 USC Chapter 43 and Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 353 entitle you to restoration
rights to your current position, (title, schedule, series, and grade) in the (unit, section, branch, business unit), or to a position of like seniority, status, and pay upon satisfactory completion of military duty. Service exceeding five
years, which results from any voluntary action on your part, such as re-enlistment, may void your restoration rights. To protect
these rights you must file an application for reemployment within (number of days) after you are relieved from military training and/or service. In the event you are hospitalized in connection with your military
duty, application for restoration must be filed within (number of days or months) after your release from the hospital. During your absence for military duty you will be given the same considerations for
promotion you would have received had you remained in your present position. If you are selected for a position in a higher
grade, the promotion action will be processed after your restoration to duty, but the effective date will be the date the
promotion would have been made if you were not absent.

Annual Leave. You may request the use of accrued and accumulated annual leave to your credit (under 5 USC § 6303 and 6304), and such requests
will be granted. In addition, requests for advanced annual leave may be granted at the agency’s discretion. If you use annual
leave, you will receive compensation from your civilian position for all hours charged to annual leave — in addition to your
military pay for the same period. If you are a Reservist or National Guardsman, you may be carried on the rolls in an annual
leave status until your annual leave is exhausted. Please notify your servicing Employment Office by (date)of your decision on this matter.

Sick Leave. Sick leave currently to your credit will be re-credited to your account upon restoration from military duty. If you are
a Reservist or National Guardsman and remain hospitalized in the military service beyond fifteen days of military leave, you
may be granted sick and annual leave and receive such leave concurrently with your military pay and allowances.

Life Insurance. Your life insurance while on leave without pay to enter the uniformed services continues for up to 12 months. If you exercise
the option to separate, life insurance continues for up to 12 months, or 90 days after uniformed service ends, whichever is
sooner. There is no cost to you, the employee, for this extension of coverage.

Health Insurance. You may elect to have your health insurance coverage continue up to 12 months, and pay your share of the premium. If you
remain in the uniformed service beyond 12 months, you may continue your health insurance for an additional 6 months by paying
102 percent of the premium: the employee’s share, the Government’s share, and a 2 percent administrative fee.

Thrift Savings Plan. You may enroll both as a member of the uniformed service and as a Federal civilian employee. Enrollment into a uniformed
service TSP account must be done through the uniformed services’ personnel office. The uniformed service account will be maintained
separately from the civilian account, and contributions to the uniformed service account can only be made from the uniformed
service pay. Similarly, contributions to the civilian account can only be made from your civil service compensation. Once
separated from either the uniformed service or Federal civilian service, TSP accounts can be combined. Specific information
on TSP rules can be found on: http://www.tsp.gov.

Retirement. If placed in a LWOP status while performing active military duty, you will continue to be covered by the retirement law
— either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Death benefits will
be paid as if still in the civilian position. If you become disabled during LWOP and you have the minimum amount of civilian
service necessary for title to disability benefits, you will become entitled to disability benefits under the retirement law.
Upon eventual retirement from civil service, your period of military service is creditable under either CSRS or FERS, subject
to the rules for crediting military service. If you separate to enter active military duty, you will receive retirement credit
for the period of separation when you exercise restoration rights to your civilian position. If you choose not to exercise
your restoration rights, but later re-enter Federal civilian service, the military service may be credited under the retirement
system, subject to the rules governing credit for military service. If covered by CSRS and you separate to enter military
active duty during a period of war or national emergency as declared by Congress or proclaimed by the President, you are deemed
not to be separated from your civilian position for retirement purposes, unless you apply for and receive a refund of your
retirement deductions. If you desire any further information regarding your rights and benefits, you may contact (benefits
point of contact) at (telephone number) for questions on benefits and (personnel point of contact) at (telephone number) located
in your servicing Employment Office for any other questions regarding this action.